天坛英文介绍
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英语解说词天坛祈年殿Ladies and Gentlemen, I am here today to take you on a journey through one of the most iconic and historically significant sites in China – the Temple of Heaven, or 天坛(tiān tán) in Chinese.The Temple of Heaven was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1420, under the command of Emperor Yongle. It served as a place of worship for the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, who would pray for good harvests and offer sacrifices to the gods in the elaborate ceremonies held here.At the heart of the Temple of Heaven complex lies the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, or 祈年殿(qǐ nián diàn) in Chinese. This magnificent structure is one of the most iconic landmarks of Beijing, and one of the most important buildings in the history of Chinese architecture.The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is a circular building with a three-tiered roof, measuring 38 meters in height and 30 meters in diameter. The roof is covered with blue glazed tiles, representing the heavens, and the pillars, beams and decorations are all elaborately painted and carved with intricate designs.The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was built with the principles of Feng Shui in mind, which dictated that it had to be located at the exact center of the Temple of Heaven complex, symbolizing the relationship between heaven and earth.The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was also designed toembody the traditional Chinese philosophy of the harmony between man and nature. The three-tiered roof represents the three realms of heaven, earth and humankind, while the interior of the hall is divided into three layers, symbolizing the different levels of society – the emperor, the officials and the common people.The ceremony held in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests was conducted once a year, on the winter solstice. The emperor would kneel on a special mat, facing south towards the alter, and offer sacrifices to heaven, asking for a bountiful harvest in the coming year.Today, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is not used for its original purpose. Instead, it has been turned into a museum, showcasing the rich history and culture of the Temple of Heaven complex.Visitors can explore the interior of the hall, marveling at the intricate decorations and learning about the ancient ceremonies held here. They can also enjoy the beautiful surrounding gardens and parks, soaking up the atmosphere of the centuries-old traditions and rituals that still hold an important place in the hearts of the Chinese people.In conclusion, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is not only a remarkable architectural achievement, but also a symbol of the deep spiritual and cultural traditions of China. It is a place where past and present come together, revealing the true essence of Chinese culture and philosophy. So, if you ever get the chance to visit Beijing, make sure to add the Temple of Heaven and the Hallof Prayer for Good Harvests to your itinerary. You won't be disappointed.。
天坛景点介绍美食作文英文英文:As a tourist attraction in Beijing, the Temple of Heaven (天坛) is not only famous for its historical and cultural significance, but also for its delicious food. Here are some of the must-try dishes when visiting the Temple of Heaven.Firstly, the most famous dish is the Tian Tan roast duck (天坛烤鸭). It is a local specialty that is different from the famous Peking roast duck. The Tian Tan roast duck is marinated with a secret sauce and roasted in a special oven, which gives it a crispy skin and tender meat. It is served with thin pancakes, scallions, and sweet bean sauce. The combination of the crispy skin and tender meat with the sweet bean sauce and the soft pancakes is a perfect match.Secondly, the Palace Snack (宫廷小吃) is also a must-try. It is a collection of various snacks that were onceserved in the imperial palace. The Palace Snack includes steamed buns, fried dough sticks, sesame cakes, and other delicacies. They are all handmade with high-quality ingredients and have a unique flavor.Lastly, the Temple of Heaven tea (天坛茶) is a perfect way to end your meal. It is a type of green tea that is grown in the Temple of Heaven. The tea leaves are picked in the early spring and have a fresh and delicate flavor. The Temple of Heaven tea is famous for its health benefits and is believed to improve digestion and boost the immune system.中文:作为北京的旅游景点,天坛不仅因其历史和文化的重要性而闻名,还因其美食而受到赞誉。
英文介绍北京天坛Temple of Heaven The Temple of Heaven is an iconic landmark located in Beijing, China. It is a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture and a symbol of Chinese culture and history. With a history of over 600 years, the Temple of Heaven has become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city。
The Temple of Heaven was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and expanded during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). It was originallybuilt as a place for emperors to worship the heavens and pray for a good harvest. The temple complex covers an area of 2.73 million square meters, which is even larger than the Forbidden City. It consists of three main parts: the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, and the Circular Mound Altar。
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is the most iconic and impressive structure in the temple complex. It is a triple-gabledcircular building with a distinctive blue roof and white marble base. The hall is supported by 28 wooden pillars, symbolizing the 28 constellations of ancient Chinese astronomy. The interior of the hall is decorated with intricate wood carvings and colorful paintings, depicting scenes from Chinese mythology and folklore。
英文介绍:北京天坛 Temple of HeavenTemple of Heaven天坛Temple of Heaven is located in the southeast of Beijing and existed for more than 500 years. Temple of Heaven was built for emperors of Ming dynasties (1368-1644 AD) and Qing dynasties(1644-1912 AD) to worship the heaven. Temple of Heave is the largest and best-preserved architectural complex for sacrifice in China.Occupying an area of 2,720,000 square meters, the Temple of Heaven is slightly larger than the Forbidden City. There are two layers of walls around the Temple, dividing it into two parts: the inner enclosure and outer enclosure.The main buildings of the Temple include Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Imperial Heavenly Vault and Circular Mound Altar.1. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest has three concentric circles of massive wood columns symbolizing the four seasons, 12 months and 12 daily hours.2. The Imperial Vault of Heaven is a smaller circular building constructed without crossbeams; its dome is supported by complicated span work.3. The Circular Mound Altar is a triple-tiered white stone terrace enclosed by two sets of walls that are square outsideand round inside, which are symbolic of the square earth and round heaven.Emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties held their ceremonies to worship the heaven in the Circular Mound Altar on winter solstice. Therefore the Circular Mound Altar also called "Heaven Worship Altar".The whole construction of the Temple of Heaven is made by wood so it is the architectural masterpiece of wood construction in China. Another marvelous and magnificent spot of the temple is Echo Wall(回音壁).When standing in the center of the Circular Mound Altar(圆丘坛), you can hear the bright sound which seems to come from the earth's core and sometimes from the sky.The design ideology of the Temple of Heaven manifests broad and vast sky. As for the aspect of distribution of building, the inner enclosure is situated on the east of north-south axis of outer enclosure; the Circular Mound Altar and Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests is located on the east of the axis of the inner enclosure. This layout makes the west part of the Temple wider.As the largest building complex for worshiping heaven in the world, the Temple of Heaven was inscribed on the list of the World Cultural Heritage in 1998.。
大家网1/2The Temple of Heaven is located in southern Beijing. It is included in the UNESCO world heritage list in 1998. With an area of 2.7 million square meters, it is the largest of its kind in the country. Built in 1420, the 18th year of the reign of Ming Emperor Yongle, the temple was where emperors went to worship heaven for good harvests.The temple consists of two parts——the inner altar and outer altar. The main buildings are in the inner altar, on the north-south axis. At the southern end are the Imperial Vault of Heaven(1) and the Circular Mound Altar(2). On the northern end are the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests(3) and the Hall of Imperial Zenith(4). The structures at both ends are connected by a 360-meter-long walk. There is also the Hall of Abstinence(5) inside the West Heavenly Gate in which the emperor fasted for three days and bathed before prayer.The temple's main building is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, where the emperor prayed for good harvests. The round hall, 38 meters high and 30 meters in diameter, has triple eaves and a cone-shaped deep blue tile roof crowned with a gilded knob. Surrounding the hall is a six-meter-high spacious circular stone terrace on three levels, each edged by a balustrade of carved white marble.The Circular Mound Altar is one of the more important buildings and is a three-tier white stone terrace enclosed by two walls. Geometrically designed, the altar has a taiji rock at the center of the top terrace. If you stand on the rock and speak in a normal voice, your voice will sound louder and more resonant to yourself than to others around you, because the sound waves reflected by the balustrades are bounced back to the center by the round wall .The Imperial Vault of Heaven, the place to lay the memorial tablets to the heaven is to the north of the Circular Mound Altar. It is very similar in structure to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests but is smaller. The Vault, made of brick and timber, is 19 meters high and 15.6 meters in diameter. It is surrounded by a circular wall of polished brick with an opening to the south. This is known as the Echo Wall(6) and is 3.72 meters high, 61.5 meters in diameter and 193 meters in circumference. If a person whispers close to the wall at any point, his voice can be heard distinctly at any other point along the wall.Around the Hall of Abstinence are two imperial ditches and they are circled by a 163-bay walkway. The Abstinence Bronze Man Pavilion and Time and Memorial Tablets Pavilion are at he Celestial Terrace of the main hall. To add the solemnity of the occasion, the bells in the two bell towers at the northeast end were struck when the emperor prayed for good harvests.Notes:1. the Imperial Vault of Heaven 皇穹宇2. the Circular Mound Altar 圜丘坛3. the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests 祈年殿4. the Hall of Imperial Zenith 皇乾殿5. the Hall of Abstinence 斋宫6. the Echo Wall 回音壁天坛位于北京城的南端,始建于明初永乐十八年,是明,清两代皇帝祭天和祈求丰年的地方,清乾隆年间改建后成为今天这一辉煌壮观的建筑群。
天坛之旅英文作文英文:I recently had the opportunity to visit the Temple of Heaven, also known as the Tian Tan, in Beijing. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget.The Temple of Heaven is a complex of religiousbuildings that were used by emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties for annual ceremonies of prayer to Heaven for good harvest. The main building is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which is a magnificent circular building with a blue roof and white marble base. It is surrounded by beautiful gardens and other smaller buildings.One thing that impressed me the most was the attention to detail in the design of the buildings and the symbolism behind them. For example, the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests has three tiers of roof, with the top tier having 12 pillars to represent the 12 months of the year. Thenumber nine is also significant in Chinese culture, and the hall has a total of nine rings of pillars, representing the nine layers of heaven.Another interesting aspect of the Temple of Heaven isthe Echo Wall, which is a circular wall surrounding the Imperial Vault of Heaven. If you stand at one end of thewall and whisper, the sound will travel along the wall and be heard clearly at the other end, over 60 meters away. It was amazing to see and experience this phenomenon firsthand.Overall, visiting the Temple of Heaven was anincredible experience that allowed me to learn more about Chinese culture and history. I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting Beijing.中文:最近我有机会参观了北京的天坛,也称为天坛公园。
北京天坛英文导游词文档3篇English guide words of Beijing Temple of heaven编订:JinTai College北京天坛英文导游词文档3篇前言:导游词是导游人员引导游客观光游览时的讲解词,是导游员同游客交流思想,向游客传播文化知识的工具,也是应用写作研究的文体之一。
本文档根据导游词内容要求和针对旅游地点是北京的特点展开说明,具有实践指导意义,便于学习和使用,本文下载后内容可随意调整修改及打印。
本文简要目录如下:【下载该文档后使用Word打开,按住键盘Ctrl键且鼠标单击目录内容即可跳转到对应篇章】1、篇章1:北京天坛英文导游词文档2、篇章2:北京天坛导游词作文文档3、篇章3:北京天坛导游词作文文档篇章1:北京天坛英文导游词文档对于北京天坛英文导游词怎么写呢?下面是小泰为大家搜索整理的关于北京天坛英文导游词,欢迎参考学习,希望对大家有所帮助!Ladies and Gentlemen:Welcome to the temple of Heaven. (After self-introduction) preserved cultural heritages of China. There are basically two kinds of visitors who come here: local pensioners who do exercises here in the morning and evening and sightseers both from home and abroad. All in all ,there are 12 million visitors very year. Now we are going to go along the route that leads to the alter. It will take roughly one hour. Mind you ,the emperor also walked along this route to pay tribute to the God of Heaven.(Along the Southern Sacred Road leading to the Circular Mound Altar)The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven ,the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest. But why ?The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe and the fate ofmankind ,and thus worshiping rites dedicated to Heaven came into being.The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, or nature. In those days, there were specfic rites of worship. This was especiallytrue during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonies were held.The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Youngle of the Ming Dynasty. Situated in the southern part of the city ,this grand set of structures covers an area of 273 hectares. To better symbolize heaven and earth ,the northern part of the Temple is circular while the southern part issquare .The whole compound is enclosed by two walls, a square wall outside a round one. The outer area is characterized by suburban scenery, while the innerpart is used for sacrifices. The inner enclosureconsists of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Circular Mound Altar.(Along the Imperial Passage leading from the Southern Lattice Star Gate in front of the Circular Mound Altar)the Circular Mound Altar is enclosed by twowalls ,each containing four groups of Southern Lattice Star Gate, each in turn consisting of three doors, with 24 marble doors altogether. Standing on the passage facing north, you will notice that with each pair of doors on is narrower than the other. This reflects the feudal hierarchy: the wider door was reserved for monarchs, while the narrower one was used by courtiers.On the day of the ceremony ,the emperor would don his ritual costume and be ushered in by the officialin charge of religious affairs. He ascended the three terraces in the forefront to pay tribute at the alter.(Atop the Circular Mound Alter)we are now on the top terrace of the Altar, orthe third terrace .Each terrace has a flight of 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 concentric rings of stone. The number of stones in the first ring is 9, in the second ,18, up to 81 in the 9th ring. Even the number of carved balustrades on these terraces is a multiplee of 9.But why?According to an cient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang were two opposing factors. Heaven and the odd numbers belonged to yang while the Earth and even numbers belonged to yin. Nine was the largest heavenly number accessible to man . What is more, the ancient people also believed that heaven consisted of nine layers and that the emperor` s abode was on the uppermost tier.篇章2:北京天坛导游词作文文档【按住Ctrl键点此返回目录】大家好,我是这次旅游的导游,我姓*,大家可以叫我*导!现在快到目的地--北京天坛,所以我先给大家将一些注意事项:“礼貌、卫生、秩序、眼看手勿动、禁止乱涂乱画”这五点,记得哦!乘客们,旅游景点已到,请大家有秩序的下车!现在我们来到了天坛的正门,这里是皇帝前来祭祀时进出的大门。
The Temple of HeavenIntroduction:The Temple of Heaven was the place where the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynas ties would worship Heaven and pray for bumper crops.Built first in 1420(the 18th year of Emperor Yongle’s reign of the Ming Dynasty), and then expanded and reconstructed during the Ming Emperor Jiajing’s reign and Qing E mperor Qianlong’s reign, the Temple of Heaven is a grand and magnificent masterpiec e of architecture with a formal and solemn environment. Since the founding of New C hina, the government has allotted a great sum of money to protect and restore the cult ural monuments there. The Temple of Heaven with its long history, deep cultural cont ent and magnificent architectural style mirrors the ancient culture of the Orient.In the Temple of Heaven are situated such main buildings as theHall of Prayer for Go od harvests, the Hall of Heavenly Emperor, the Circular Mound, the Imperial Vault of Heaven, the Abstinence Hall, the Beamless Hall, the Long Corridor, the Longevity Pa vilion in a double ring shape as well as the Echo Wall, the Three Echo Stones, and the Seven Meteoric Stones.The Temple of Heaven is the largest architectural group for worshipping Heaven in th e world. In 1961, it was listed by the State Council as "one of the key monuments und er the state protection". In 1998, it was recognized by the UNESCO as "one of the hu man heritages of the world".天坛始建于明永乐十八年(1420年),总面积273公顷,经明嘉靖、清乾隆等朝增建、改建,建筑宏伟壮丽,环境庄严肃穆,是明、清两代皇帝“祭天”、“祈谷”的场所,坛域北呈圆形,南为方形,寓意“天圆地方”。
天坛中英文导游词天坛位于北京城区的东南部,原是明、清两代皇帝祭天、祈谷的圣地。
北京天坛是明朝永乐皇帝建成的祭天圣坛,也是我国现存最大的一处坛庙建筑。
下面是小编为你带来的天坛中英双语导游词,欢迎参考!各位游客,我们今天所要参观的就是以前皇帝祭天的地方——天坛。
明朝永乐皇帝迁都北京以后,在北京南城仿照南京的大祀殿建立了这作用于祭天的圣坛,占地面积达到了273万平方米。
主建筑是大祀殿,也就是今天祈年殿的位置上。
天坛有外坛墙和内坛墙,北面是圆形,南面是方形,取意天圆地方。
在一开始,祭天和祭地都是天坛,直到明嘉靖年间在北城修建了地坛,才分开的,并且新增了圜丘坛,用于孟冬祭天,把原来的大祀殿改为大享殿,专门用于孟春祈谷,当时殿宇屋顶已经是三重檐了,从上至下的蓝黄绿三色瓦分别代表了天地万物。
而在乾隆年间,有将大享殿改为现在的祈年殿,而将屋顶瓦片都改成了蓝色的琉璃瓦。
从而形成了今天我们所看到的这个世界上最大的祭天建筑群。
可是这样一个祭天圣地,却也曾经在1860年时遭到英法联军的洗劫,继而在1900年的时候又遭到了八国联军的蹂躏。
在1916年袁世凯登基的时候也曾经在天坛上演了一出祭天的闹剧。
在1918年,天坛最终还是以公园开放。
解放以后天坛不仅成了著名的旅游景点,而且还是北京城市绿地的组成部分,来这里的不光是旅游者,还不乏一些专门为了强身健体的老人们。
现在就让我们沿着当年皇帝登坛的路线开始此次游览。
说完了神坛的奇妙,我在给您介绍一下祭天大典的盛况。
到了每年的冬至,皇帝就要在这里祭天。
在大典前两天,皇帝要在故宫里进行斋戒,而到了第三天,也就是冬至前一天,就要到天坛的斋宫进行斋戒。
冬至那天,在日出前七刻,现在的凌晨四点多,奏报时辰,皇帝起驾,斋宫东北角的钟楼开始鸣钟。
到具服台盥洗更衣,神牌都送到台面相应的位置,也就是七组神位,称作七幄;在圜丘前燔柴炉上放一只牛犊,用松枝燔烧,西南的望灯杆望灯高悬,点燃蟠龙通宵宝蜡,台南广场上排列着奏乐队,配合着中和韶乐,在文武百官的陪同下,祭天大典就正式开始了,皇帝由南棂星左门登坛,这时钟声停止,到了第二层南侧拜位站好后,听候司赞人报仪程。
我喜欢天坛的原因英文作文示例回答如下1:Title: Why I Love the Temple of HeavenThe Temple of Heaven, a majestic architectural wonder nestled in the heart of Beijing, holds a special place in my heart for numerous reasons. Its rich historical significance, stunning architectural beauty, and serene atmosphere make it a cherished destination for locals and tourists alike. Let me delve into the reasons why I am captivated by the Temple of Heaven.First and foremost, the Temple of Heaven is a testament to China's rich cultural heritage and profound history. Built in the early 15th century during the Ming Dynasty, it served as a sacred site where emperors of the time would perform intricate rituals to pray for good harvests and blessings for the nation. The intricate design and meticulous construction of the temple complex reflect the deep spiritual beliefs and reverence for the divine that permeated Chinese society during that era. Walking through its hallowed grounds, one can't help but feel a profound sense of connection to China's storied past.Furthermore, the architectural brilliance displayed in the construction of the Temple of Heaven is truly awe-inspiring. The main structures, including the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests and the Circular Mound Altar, showcase exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, with its striking triple-gabled roof adorned with vibrant colors and intricate patterns, stands as a masterpiece of Chinese architectural design. The symmetry and harmony of the buildings, along with the meticulous layout of the entire complex according to ancient cosmological principles, reflect the profound wisdom and ingenuity of the architects and craftsmen of yesteryears.Apart from its historical and architectural significance, the Temple of Heaven offers a serene sanctuary amidst the bustling cityscape of Beijing. As one steps into its expansive gardens and tranquil courtyards, the hustle and bustle of urban life fade away, replaced by a sense of peace and tranquility. The carefully manicured landscapes, dotted with ancient trees and traditional pavilions, provide the perfect setting for quiet contemplation and introspection. Whether it's practicingtai chi amidst the morning mist or simply strolling along the shaded pathways, the Temple of Heaven offers a welcome retreat from the frenetic pace of modern life.Moreover, the Temple of Heaven serves as a vibrant hub of cultural activity, attracting visitors from all corners of the globe. Throughout the year, various cultural events and performances are held within its premises, ranging from traditional music and dance to martial arts demonstrations. These events not only showcase the rich cultural heritage of China but also foster cross-cultural exchange and understanding among visitors from diverse backgrounds. It's truly heartwarming to see people from different cultures come together to appreciate and celebrate the beauty of Chinese art and tradition.In conclusion, the Temple of Heaven holds a special allure for me due to its rich historical heritage, architectural splendor, serene ambiance, and vibrant cultural atmosphere. It's more than just a tourist attraction; it's a living testament to China's glorious past and enduring cultural legacy. Every visit to the Temple of Heaven fills me with a sense ofwonder and reverence, reaffirming my deep appreciation for this magnificent treasure of human civilization.为什么我喜欢天坛天坛,一个庄严壮丽的建筑奇迹,坐落在北京的心脏地带,因为诸多原因在我心中占据着特殊的地位。
天坛英语导游词 Ladies and Gentlemen:Welcome to the temple of Heaven. (After self-introduction) preserved cultural heritagesof China. There are basically two kinds of visitors who come here: local pensioners who do exercises here in the morning and evening and sightseers both from home and abroad. All in all ,there are 12 million visitors every year. Now we are going to go along the route that leads to the altar. It will take roughly one hour. Mind you ,the emperor also walked along this route to pay tribute to the God of Heaven. (Along the Southern Sacred Road leading to the Circular Mound Altar)The largest group of architectures ever to be dedicated to Heaven ,the Temple of Heaven served as an exclusive altar for Chinese monarchs during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It was decreed that rulers of successive dynasties would place altars in their own capitals to worship Heaven and pray for good harvest. But why ?The ancient Chinese believed that Heaven was the supreme ruler of the universe and the fate of mankind ,and thus worshiping rites dedicated to Heaven came into being.The Heaven the ancient Chinese referred to was actually the Universe, or nature. In those days, there were specific rites of worship. This was especially true during the Ming and Qing dynasties when elaborate ceremonies were held.The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 during the reign of Emperor Youngle of the Ming Dynasty. Situated in the southern part of the city ,this grand set of structures covers an area of 273 hectares. To better symbolize heaven and earth ,the northern part of the Temple is circular while the southern part is square .The whole compound is enclosed by two walls, a square wall outside a round one. The outer area is characterized by suburban scenery, while the inner part is used for sacrifices. The inner enclosure consists of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the Circular Mound Altar.(Along the Imperial Passage leading from the Southern Lattice Star Gate in front of the Circular Mound Altar)the Circular Mound Altar is enclosed by two walls ,each containing four groups of Southern Lattice Star Gate, each in turn consisting of three doors, with 24 marble doors altogether. Standing on the passage facing north, you will notice that with each pair of doors on is narrower than the other. This reflects the feudal hierarchy: the wider door was reserved for monarchs, while the narrower one was used by courtiers.On the day of the ceremony ,the emperor would don his ritual costume and be ushered in by the official in charge of religious affairs. He ascended the three terraces in the forefront to pay tribute at the altar.(Atop the Circular Mound Alter)we are now on the top terrace of the Altar, or the third terrace .Each terrace has a flight of 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 steps. At the center of this terrace lies a round stone surrounded by 9 concentric rings of stone. The number of stones in the first ring is 9, in the second 18, up to 81 in the 9th ring. Even the number of carved balustrades on these terraces is a multiple of 9. But why?According to ancient Chinese philosophy, yin and yang were two opposing factors. Heaven and the odd numbers belonged to yang while the Earth and even numbers belonged to yin. Nine was the largest heavenly number accessible to man . What is more, the ancient people also believed that heaven consisted of nine layers and that the emperor` s abode was on the uppermost tier.Once more look at the round stone in the center. The upper terrace is nine zhang (a Chinese unit of length, one zhang equals 3.3 meters ) in circumference ,while the middle is 15 zhang, the lower, 21 zhang. Classified as yang numbers, the sum of these numerals is 45 zhang which was meant to symbolized success. What is more, by applying the concept of odd numbers and strengthening nine and its multiples, the concept of heaven was thus illustrated and realized . The concept of nine will also be mentioned when we visit some other buildings. Now I will give you a brief account of what happened here annually on the Inter Solstice. The memorial tablet dedicated to Heaven would be set up on the north side of the terrace, while tablets dedicated to the emperor `s ancestors would be enshrined on the flanks. The service would begin around 4 o` clock in the morning. All of the lanterns would be lit .In the foreground, a sacrificial calf is being barbecued. On the square in front of the altar, the emperor, under heavy escort of nearly a thousand courtiers, princes of royal blood ,musicians, dancers and uniformed soldiers, would slowly ascend the altar to offer sacrifice and pray in honor of Heaven. When the service drew to a close ,the sacrifice offered in front of the memorial tablets would be incinerated .All of participants would watch the thick smoke rise upward as if they were seeing God off .Music and dancing would follow .In the end ,the emperor would return to the Forbidden City secure in the belief that he would be blessed and protected by Heaven until the next winter Solstice.It is interesting to note that ,the stone in the very middle of the altar was of major importance ,since it was where theemperor used to stand to say his prayer. The stone ,which is known as the God`s heart Stone, is peculiar in that it is characterized by a specific acoustic phenomenon: it made the emperor` s voice clearer and louder, thus adding to the mystic atmosphere of the service .You can try this out by yourself. (Proceed northward to pass through the Lattice StarGate)(In front of the Gate of glazed tiles)this structure is known as Heaven` s Storehouse. It is entered through the Gate of glazed Tiles. The roofing ,beams, and brackets are all made of glazed tiles or bricks. This is the only structure of its kind in china today .the Heaven` s Storehouse was where memorial tablets dedicated to the gods were kept. Douglas Hurd, a former